2016 has been an eventful year for Priyanka Chopra. She won the world’s most coveted projects like Quantico, an American spy thriller TV series in which she plays an FBI agent, and Baywatch, an upcoming action comedy where she shares screen space with actor Dwayne Johnson.

Priyanka Chopra receives the Padma Shri award from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday.

She also adorned the red carpet at the 88th Annual Academy Awards held in February. And now, she has been invited to the Annual White House Correspondents Dinner with US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama. But in Priyanka’s opinion, all these moments pale in comparison to the Padma Shri award she received from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday.

Padma Shri is a mark of respect and the fourth highest civilian award in India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. The award recognizes a person’s distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity, including arts, education, industry, literature, science, sports, medicine, social service and public affairs.

The bold and beautiful actress who was crowned Miss World 2000 shared the stage with India’s iconic actor Rajinikanth and tennis champion Sania Mirza.

An avid tweeter, Priyanka captured the once-in-a-lifetime occasion in her own words.“Such a proud moment. To be back in my country.. My capital.. Rashtrapati Bhavan & receiving the PadmaShri. #blessed,” she tweeted.

The actress, who enthralled the Indian cinema enthusiasts, through her performance in movies like Mary Kom, Bajiao Mastani, and Barfi, has always been proud of her choice of projects. Her ambition for bigger things resulted in Quantico and Baywatch. A self-aware Priyanka Chopra, in her characteristic flair, tweeted: “Sometimes in the noise of the countless chaos around me, I steal a moment of silence..Just to remember..I do something that’s bigger than me.”

Shedding light on the male-chauvinistic Bollywood industry, she said that people always try steal the credit. “I am destiny’s favourite child. I have made sure that whatever opportunity comes my way, I give my heart and soul to it. So the credit of my work goes only and solely to me because I am the one who stands in front of the camera between action and cuts and nobody else does,” Priyanka told IANS.